The Hidden Treasure

Depression & Technology

Written By: Vic Rebman Ph.D
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Aug•
15•17

Contemplation #24

“Serve the needs of others, and all your own needs will be fulfilled.”

Through selfless action, fulfillment is attained.”

(The Tao, Verse #7)

In my June 28th Blog post (Breaking Free of Depression, Contemplation #22) I mentioned the alarming increase in depression rates among adolescent girls (36% by age 17). The rates of teen suicide have skyrocketed since 2011. A recent article by psychologist Jean Twenge, who has made a career of studying generational trends, describes the powerful link research is revealing between adolescent depression and Smartphone use. This is information every parent should be equipped with! Here is a link to her article:

Dr. Michael Yapko (2017) a world renowned expert in the field of depression writes.

“More than one study has linked how much time you spend in front of a computer screen with how bad you are likely to feel. It’s not the technology itself that may be a problem for someone. It’s what the technology encourages—and discourages—in thinking and behaving that’s the potential problem. You can’t learn social skills, such as carrying on a good conversation or reading people’s facial expressions as they speak when all you’re doing is texting or emailing. You can’t develop frustration tolerance when you want answers right now. You can’t develop critical thinking skills when you just absorb whatever the screen tells you is true even when it isn’t. You can’t build a real relationship typing messages back and forth in a chatroom.”

All the more reason to appreciate the anciet wisdom of the Tao, and spend some time in selfless service for others. It’s a far more potent remedy for depression than any antidepressant!